Adding Page Numbers to PDFs: Formats, Positions, and Best Practices
A 50-page PDF without page numbers creates chaos during meetings. "Go to page 23" means nothing when there's no page 23 marked. Page numbers transform unwieldy documents into navigable references. Our tool adds customizable page numbers to any PDF—choose position, format, starting number, and more.
Our pktools.tech PDF Page Numberer processes everything in your browser, so your documents never leave your device.
Add Page Numbers to PDF
Professional pagination with customizable formats, positions, and styling options.
Launch PDF Page Numberer
Page Number Format Options
Simple Numbers
1, 2, 3, 4...
Clean and minimal. Perfect for most documents.
Page X of Y
Page 1 of 50, Page 2 of 50, Page 3 of 50...
Shows document context. Useful for contracts and legal documents where knowing total pages matters.
Custom Prefix
A-1, A-2, A-3... (for Appendix A) Section 2-1, Section 2-2... (for chapters)
Useful for multi-section documents or appendices.
Roman Numerals
i, ii, iii, iv... (front matter) I, II, III, IV... (main sections)
Traditional format for prefaces, introductions, and front matter.
Position Options
| Position | Best For |
|---|---|
| Bottom Center | Most documents, reports |
| Bottom Right | Standard documents, easy thumb access |
| Bottom Left | RTL languages, specific style guides |
| Top Center | Academic papers, manuscripts |
| Top Right/Left | When header space is available |
| Alternating | Book-style (outside edges) |
How to Use the PKTools PDF Page Numberer
- Upload your PDF: Drag and drop or click to select.
- Choose format: Simple numbers, "Page X of Y", or custom.
- Select position: Top/bottom, left/center/right.
- Set starting number: Useful if page 1 should actually be page 5.
- Process and download: Get your paginated PDF.
When to Start Numbering
Skip Cover Page
Most documents shouldn't number the cover page. Start numbering on page 2 (which displays as "1").
Front Matter Conventions
Academic and book publishing often use:
- Title page: No number
- Copyright, TOC, preface: Roman numerals (i, ii, iii)
- Main content: Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3)
Appendices
Options include:
- Continue numbering: ...48, 49, 50 (Appendix A-1)...
- Restart numbering: A-1, A-2, A-3 or B-1, B-2, B-3
Professional Formatting Tips
Font Selection
Use the same font family as your document body. Sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica) are common for modern documents; serif fonts (Times, Garamond) for traditional or academic work.
Font Size
Page numbers should be readable but unobtrusive. Typically 10-12pt, slightly smaller than body text.
Margins
Ensure page numbers don't overlap with content or get cut off during printing. Standard is at least 0.5" from page edge.
Consistency
Pick one style and stick with it throughout the document. Mixing formats confuses readers.
Common Use Cases
Legal Documents
"Page X of Y" format is standard. It proves the document is complete and no pages were inserted or removed.
Academic Papers
APA, MLA, and Chicago styles each have specific requirements. Usually top right or bottom center.
Business Reports
Professional reports benefit from page numbers for reference during meetings and presentations.
Merged PDFs
After combining multiple documents, page numbers may be missing or inconsistent. Adding fresh pagination creates uniformity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exclude certain pages from numbering?
Our tool numbers all pages sequentially. For selective numbering, more advanced PDF editors are needed.
Will page numbers print correctly?
Yes—they're embedded in the PDF and will print wherever positioned. Ensure they're within your printer's margins.
Can I add page numbers to a scanned PDF?
Yes. Page numbers are added as overlay elements regardless of whether the PDF contains text or images.
What happens to existing page numbers?
They remain. If your PDF already has page numbers, new ones will appear alongside existing ones.
The Bottom Line
Page numbers transform PDFs from digital scrolls into navigable documents. Whether you're preparing legal contracts, academic papers, or business reports, proper pagination is a mark of professionalism.
Our pktools.tech PDF Page Numberer offers flexible formatting options with complete browser-based privacy—no uploads, no servers, no waiting.